Comments on: (Wo)man vs. Beast

By: wahtera

wahtera — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:42:00 +0000

I watched this POV documentary quite by chance when surfing the Net the other night. I wanted to learn about something I knew nothing about, and bullfighting fit the bill. The fact that it was about women bullfighters made it doubly interesting.

However, I did not come away with the impression that these women had broken through barriers. Rather, that this is an arena where women are the exception that prove the rule. Bullfighting continues to be a male bastion.

The film pointed out that throughout history there have always been a few women bullfighters on the scene; that whenever women bullfighters were outlawed in Spain, they moved to South America.

These have been, and continue to be, women called to bullfighting. It’s a passion they can’t explain. They would, and do, pay for the opportunity.

They gather a small following, fighting in second and third tier venues. They put up with often times hostile crowds. They lack the managers and financing that any public performer/athlete needs to get ahead.

Breaking through barriers means a wall is falling; that those who follow this path won’t have the same obstacles to overcome. The fact that one woman has succeeded as a bullfighter today, however, will not make it easier for the women who come after her. This documentary showed that newcomers have the same discriminatory battles to fight.

A few women propelled by their passion, their calling, will always fight for their chance to be bullfighters. Meanwhile, it’s an industry that employs thousands — all men.

It reminds me of the fight for women in the military. What woman would ever want to be a soldier or firefighter? In the beginning, only those passionate few. When the barriers were truely broken? Many, it turns out.

By: Lisa Goodnight

Lisa Goodnight — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:48:29 +0000

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for your comment. I’m curious is there some legislation pending?

By: KG

KG — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:40:49 +0000

Hi Rachel,

The Feminist movement has never been about removing responsibility from men to be self-sufficient. And it definitely wasn’t a call for women to support deadbeat couch potatoes.

There are a lot of great young feminist writers and thinkers out there tackling and analyzing present-day discrimination. If you are interested in learning more, I would suggest:

http://www.feministing.com/
http://www.feministe.us/blog/

And a great resource for the basics of Feminism, what it is and what it is NOT:

http://finallyfeminism101.wordpress.com/

The problems you speak about in your comment are not the result of the feminism. They are the results of ongoing and latent sexism.

By: Lisa Goodnight

Lisa Goodnight — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:40:05 +0000

Yes, Rachel, women of your generation should lay down the law. You should not support a man who is sitting on your couch, consuming copious amounts of beer.

By: Bellagio

Bellagio — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:38:57 +0000

Howard, women haven't won. We still earn 78 cents for every dollar earn by man and if you are female in the U.S. you're more likely to die in poverty. Then consider what's happening overseas. Acid attacks against girls are commonplace in some parts of the world. I could go on and on. But in the end, this isn't a man v. woman fight. Rather, a fight for justice and fairness for all human beings.;. All the best!!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:03:35 +0000

Hi,
This is Howard’s daughter, a member of the “younger” generation. I’m sure the feminist movement has had some positive effects that have paved the way for young university students like myself and has changed the dynamic of women in the working world. BUT! I am sick of learning the same material that was taught back then that is repeated by women of that generation who seem unhappy with the results of their plight. I feel like there is a definite backlash that has manifested itself in a shift in expectations. Women are expected and are seen as fully capable to have careers, raise and support families and be very good housekeepers at the same time. It seems men have been removed of their financial responsibility and find their role sitting on the couch and consuming copious amounts of beer, paid for by their women. I think it’s time the women of our generation lay down the law, because we weren’t the ones who asked for all the responsibility and we should somehow reintroduce and emphasize the value of the bread-winning man.

By: Lisa Goodnight

Lisa Goodnight — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:42:03 +0000

Hi Stacey,
Thanks for sharing the link and for your comments. In researching this topic, I came across an interesting story about how Brigitte Bardot has asked Carla Bruni-Sarkozy to support a ban on bullfighting in France. That piece of information didn’t make it in the final blog post, but it’s something you and others may find interesting.

Here is the link:

http://vegetarianstar.com/2009/07/20/brigitte-bardot-asks-carla-bruni-sarkozy-to-help-end-bullfighting/

By: Lisa Goodnight

Lisa Goodnight — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:21:15 +0000

Howard, women haven’t won. We still earn 78 cents for every dollar earn by man and if you are female in the U.S. you’re more likely to die in poverty. Then consider what’s happening overseas. Acid attacks against girls are commonplace in some parts of the world. I could go on and on. But in the end, this isn’t a man v. woman fight. Rather, a fight for justice and fairness for all human beings.

By: KG

KG — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:01:57 +0000

Oh Howard, how nice that you can sit back from your cushy place of privilege and declare that “women have won.”

Women have made strides, but there is much work left to do. Sexism and gender discrimination still exist. And it just so happens that a lot of young women are concerned about that. And many of them (gasp) proudly call themselves feminists.

By: softballgirl78

softballgirl78 — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:28:34 +0000

I personally don’t see the point of bull fighting, but if women want to do it then I say have at it! It’s great that women get the chance to do what they want to do.